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English Essay -Character - Coggle Diagram
English Essay -Character
Abigail
Persona
Initially presents herself as a typical submissive, docile Puritan woman of religious observance
Abigail alludes to and follows the Puritanical doctrines of managing sin, confession, repentance, and atonement. In invoking these doctrines, she appears to be a devoutly faithful woman, willing to cleanse herself of of sin for the sake of observing Puritanical laws.
"Uncle, we did dance; let you tell them I confessed it - and I'll be whipped if I must be."
Abigail's use of a metaphor suggests that she is entirely free of sin - there is not even the faintest touch of possible wrong-doing that could be associated with her reputation.
"Your name in the town - it is entirely white, is it not?
"There be no blush about my name."
This view reflected by the villagers perception of her as the witch accuser. She portrays a persona of a holy savior who aims to save Salem from witches, and this persona is accepted by the Salemites, leading them to view her akin to a biblical character in authority.
Allusion to Exodus 14:12, in which Moses calls God to part the red sea to save the Israelites, Proctor - "Where she walks the crowd will part like the sea for Israel."
This devoutly religious act is shown to be a persona later in the play, as her true ulterior motives and desires that she was forced to repress begin to come through.
Affair with John Proctor, adultery is one of ten commandments, height of sin in puritan culture.
Example of repressed desires returning stronger, semantic field of fire and heat created
"I have a sense for heat, and yours has drawn me to this window"
Subverts from her persona of a submissive, docile, Puritan woman in an open threat towards Judge Danforth. Such a threat suggests that she holds herself above both a man, and an official of the court and church, which again defies Puritanical doctrine.
“Let you beware, Mr. Danforth. Think you to be so mighty that the power of hell may not turn your wits.”
Her accusations are also an example of sublimation - she converts her socially unacceptable desire for power that she was denied, into a socially virtuous action, while being lauded as a religious heroine.
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Parris
Persona
initially established as a devoutly religious man, who acted seemingly exactly as a minister would
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Anadiplosis of God Reflects idea that, as a reverend, his life begins and ends with God
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quickly becomes apparent that Parris' appearance of Godliness is not a reality- rather, he has constructed a persona for public view
Metaphor "bend" suggests that Parris' central desire is not to foster the villagers' interest in God, but to generate power for himself and authority in the town.
Complaint, "I have fought three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me"
In this sense, his persona shatters and we understand his ulterior motives.